As the state's only health and research university, OHSU brings together education, research, patient care and community service. While each component has its own individual goals and mission, all of them are bound together by a common vision - to improve the well-being of Oregonians. Neurological surgeons at OHSU and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital deliver comprehensive surgical care for patients with brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve diseases. Our specialists combine a sincere interest in the welfare of their patients with innovative surgical skills and technology.

 

Innovation at OHSU has included the first deep brain stimulation surgery in North America, the first neuronal stem cell transplants in the world, and the first and most powerful intra-operative MRI facility in a children’s hospital in the western United States. We also house a nationally leading neurosurgery training program and advanced fellowships in skull base and vascular, functional, and pediatric neurosurgery. Scientists in our department contribute to fundamental understanding of pain perception and of the brain’s blood supply.

 

The Department of Neurological Surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine is a safe, respectful and welcoming place for people of all races, cultures, ethnicities, genders, national origins, abilities, ages, colors, religions, and sexual orientations. We are committed to learning, promoting inclusion, and working to abolish inequities in our workplace here at OHSU, in our region, in our nation, and in our world. The Department of Neurological Surgery promotes an equitable work environment with a strong commitment to diversity. All department members will actively participate in training and events that reinforce and expand on this commitment.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Primary Duties: Providing patient care in the outpatient setting for patients with pituitary disorders, as well as preoperative and postoperative care, wound care, unscheduled visits, and chronic follow-up as determined by the faculty. This includes, but is not limited to: developing patient care plans with the faculty and house staff to ensure continuity of care and enhance quality of outpatient care. Training and supervision of neurosurgical team staff, house staff and medical students. Promoting and maintaining health through the use of ancillary services, educational materials, and counseling of patients and families as outpatients; providing same day response to medical advice/prescription phone requests and coordinating patient services with outpatient patient care staff and other departmental advanced care providers. Promoting a safe environment and adhering to policies and confidentiality to support the mission and goals of OHSU. Recognizing clinical emergencies or urgent situations and acting autonomously, efficiently, and effectively to provide situational resuscitation and/or treatment. Assessing patients for outpatient clinic visits, determining medical necessity of visit and ensuring a course of action based on department and OHSU policies and/or in collaboration with the faculty. Being resourceful in patient education materials for patients and families; consulting with the faculty to provide up-to-date condition-specific health care information for outpatients. This includes prompt and professional communication, face-to-face customer contact skills, crisis management, use of available information technology, standard complaint processing, flexibility in coverage of internal service needs, and continuous application of process improvement methods and skills. Scheduled clinics will include in-person, telemedicine, and virtual visits as permitted by OHSU infrastructure and policies, and managed care contract requirements.
• Clinical care includes, but is not limited to:
  • a) Evaluates preoperative and postoperative care;
  • b) Communicates appropriately with other healthcare professionals to discuss relevant aspects of patient care; prescribes short-term and long-term medications; and responds to peer-to-peer insurance requests for imaging, medication orders.
    Responds to patient/family messages (e.g, phone, MyChart, letters) in a timely manner to address clinical problems or questions regarding the care plan or test results in collaboration with the nurses within the Department of Neurological Surgery. Determines appropriate actions directly or in consultation with physician faculty as needed. Works in direct collaboration with APPs, physicians, and surgeons to streamline patient care, communication, coordination and follow-up care. Performs minor procedures, such as endocrine testing, suture and staple removal, ventriculoperitoneal shunt tap, and lumbar punctures. Patient education is also a key duty of the position. Position also includes coverage on inpatient neurosurgical units in infrequent situations when there is an urgent need.

General Responsibilities

• Guidance: Provide OHSU Department of Neurological Surgery representation regarding hospital accreditation standards and provide leadership within the Department regarding compliance with accreditation requirements and guidelines in the inpatient arena.
• Advocacy: Participate in quality initiatives.
• Teaching: Participate in clinical in-services and staff educational programs, teach neurosurgical and diagnostic treatments to medical students, house staff, nursing staff, and other Department support staff.

Mission-Based Responsibilities

• Participates in Quality Improvement Program including measures of patient/family satisfaction (service and functional status) and faculty satisfaction; complies with DNV requirements and standards, and OHSU policies and procedures within the outpatient and inpatient programs; cooperates in the development and promotion of special events as appropriate, including speaking at internal and external sites; serves as a resource in neuroendoctinology health within OHSU and the community as needed; provides teaching of neuroendocrinology diagnosis and treatment to nursing staff and other support staff . Specifically responsible for providing plans of care to improve patient service and outcomes of treatment; provides and/or participates in clinical in-service and staff educational programs.

• Includes providing high quality customer service (to faculty and staff, internal providers, patients, referring providers, insurance carriers, etc.) that meets or exceeds the service standards for the health care industry. Working with Division Head, Department Chair, and Department Administrator, and faculty to ensure staff and faculty adherence to departmental and customer service standards. Demonstrated ability to integrate seamlessly into a team environment, ability to provide excellent patient care while managing multiple priorities and strong inter-personal skills are must.
• Surgical clinical experience, ability to multi-task and prioritize, ability to work as a team member.

Education:
Physician Assistant:

• Current active Oregon Board of Medical Examiners (licensed Physician Assistant) Registration
• Current active Drug Enforcement Agency Controlled Substance Registration
• Current Physician Assistant Certification

Nurse Practitioner:

• Licensed by Oregon State Board of Nursing (NP) and authorized to practice within the parameters described in Division 50 of the Oregon Nurse Practice Act (Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 678)

• Neurosurgery experience. Experience completing comprehensive history & physical examinations.

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.